Eruware CF driver: Any update?

[Donmichaelo]

I have been out for a while, is there any news out there related to the Eruware driver? Last update was 1.2....(nothing in their website..) :(

[n2ifp]

So far that's the latest version that I know of.

[Siliconbug]

I think most people prefer free SONY CF driver now....:p

[Eddy]

Eruware ver.1.2 is the newest!.......
.................................
....................around 3 months ago.:(

Nice that somebody brings this topic to light, since I would really like to know whatever happened to my $27.00 investment. :p

[BClie2k]

They promised a new update very soon and it's been a long time since that. Where are you guys? Do you still care about us who paid 27 bucks for something that now is free?


Al

[mcullum]

From what I see, Pelaca has done so much more for this community and for free. I just consider my $27.00 as an investment into my education and just makes me a little more wary as to pie in the sky claims from developers vs. reality.

[n2ifp]

I am so tired of hearing about the lousy $27.00 bucks! Another developer was going to charge $40.00. At the time, some would have killed over a CF driver! I suppose everyone should toil for a few months for free! Shoot, all the bill collectors I am sure would be very understanding, right?

All the illegal hacking has hurt a developer! A developer can't do those kinds of things! A lot has changed, either by design or by accident. I very much like Pelaca, and yes he has done a lot for everyone, especially in the modem department. His work involved hacking and packaging the apps along with a few others. A developer can NOT do this, sometimes people don't think.

I was very much surprised that Reggie and Joel let it go on. I can't imagine any developer being happy with it. I personally believe in the long term, it will hurt us. I have nothing against Reggie or Joel as they are two very nice fellows who have been very generous to the members here at ClieSource. I am just trying to look at the bigger picture and our future as Clie owners.

My 2 cents worth...:)

PS: I blame everything on Sony and it's aggressive marketing practices!!!

[Eddy]

Originally posted by n2ifp
I blame everything on Sony and it's aggressive marketing practices!!!
I agree! When it comes down to it, Sony's the master mind behind all this. :(

[Siliconbug]

Originally posted by n2ifp
All the illegal hacking has hurt a developer! A developer can't do those kinds of things!I very much like Pelaca, and yes he has done a lot for everyone, especially in the modem department. His work involved hacking and packaging the apps along with a few others. A developer can NOT do this, sometimes people don't think.
Do you mean hacked SONY CF driver?:confused:

[aussie_nx70v]

Originally posted by n2ifp
I am so tired of hearing about the lousy $27.00 bucks! Another developer was going to charge $40.00. At the time, some would have killed over a CF driver! I suppose everyone should toil for a few months for free! Shoot, all the bill collectors I am sure would be very understanding, right?

All the illegal hacking has hurt a developer! A developer can't do those kinds of things! A lot has changed, either by design or by accident. I very much like Pelaca, and yes he has done a lot for everyone, especially in the modem department. His work involved hacking and packaging the apps along with a few others. A developer can NOT do this, sometimes people don't think.

I was very much surprised that Reggie and Joel let it go on. I can't imagine any developer being happy with it. I personally believe in the long term, it will hurt us. I have nothing against Reggie or Joel as they are two very nice fellows who have been very generous to the members here at ClieSource. I am just trying to look at the bigger picture and our future as Clie owners.

My 2 cents worth...:)

PS: I blame everything on Sony and it's aggressive marketing practices!!!

My feelings EXACTLY !!

I support the developer fully and to that extend have not even remotely tried to use Pelaca's software.

No offence to Pelaca but i prefer to use a piece of software that was legally made and paid for.

Sure, use it if you dont want to pay the lousy software fees. But consider this.....

Whats going to happen when developers havent got the financial incentive to produce more ground breaking software?

We lose !

[mcullum]

Once and for all, it's not about the "lousy $27.00". It's about the high expectations set by the developer vs. the actual delivered product. (i.e., delays in receiving order, delays in receiving codes, constant crashes, buggy product, lack of response to tech issues, etc.) I mean, come on, all the "fixes" were found and reported by paying customers. Don't you remember the 100's of posts reporting all of the fixes, workarounds, driver rollbacks and re-releases. Compare for yourselves the support ERUWARE has provided and the amazing support Pelaca has provided. (For FREE) I have no affiliations with either, just unbiased observations. It's truly amazing to see some of you stand up and cheer for ERUWARE despite their inability to properly service their client base or their product. It's obvious, at least to me, that some of you would fall on your own swords just to preserve the good name of ERUWARE. Yet, they don't appear willing to do the same. Just a couple of questions:

1. Should we be happy when we invest in a product that doesn't deliver as promised, just because that product ventures out in unchartered territory?

2. Should we not ask questions just because they are uncomfortable to some?

I don't think that voicing our dissatisfaction with a product should be discouraged. Isn't that the purpose of these forums? Instead of "becoming so tired of these comments", convince my why I should pledge my allegiance to ERUWARE.

[rob_squared]

Well, now that you've put your best foot forward, would you please insert it in your mouth?

Point is, Eruware did it first, and they did it legally. I like Peleca but he did it for free because it would be illegal to sell it.

[aussie_nx70v]

Originally posted by mcullum
Once and for all, it's not about the "lousy $27.00". It's about the high expectations set by the developer vs. the actual delivered product. (i.e., delays in receiving order, delays in receiving codes, constant crashes, buggy product, lack of response to tech issues, etc.) I mean, come on, all the "fixes" were found and reported by paying customers. Don't you remember the 100's of posts reporting all of the fixes, workarounds, driver rollbacks and re-releases. Compare for yourselves the support ERUWARE has provided and the amazing support Pelaca has provided. (For FREE) I have no affiliations with either, just unbiased observations. It's truly amazing to see some of you stand up and cheer for ERUWARE despite their inability to properly service their client base or their product. It's obvious, at least to me, that some of you would fall on your own swords just to preserve the good name of ERUWARE. Yet, they don't appear willing to do the same. Just a couple of questions:

1. Should we be happy when we invest in a product that doesn't deliver as promised, just because that product ventures out in unchartered territory?

2. Should we not ask questions just because they are uncomfortable to some?

I don't think that voicing our dissatisfaction with a product should be discouraged. Isn't that the purpose of these forums? Instead of "becoming so tired of these comments", convince my why I should pledge my allegiance to ERUWARE.

Guys, guys, guys....please allow me to pick the crap out of his argument.

1. Its not about the lousy $27.00? You betcha bottom dollar it is! Do you know how many people are dying to get their hands on this software without paying the $27.00 U.S? Im in Australia and that equates to over $40.00 !! You know what? Im no tight wad. I laid my hard earned $$$'s down.

If it wasnt for Eruware having some sort of decent protection there would be 1000's of illegal versions floating around.

2. On a side note. Are you really a guest in Cliesource or are you already registered and just using a side ID. Just curious thats all.

3. Do you own the Eruware Driver?

4. How many times have you crashed your Clie using the driver? I've had my LEGAL and FULLY purchased driver from day one and yet have not managed to crash it once. Sure, i can say thats its not full proof but PLEASE dont make it out that its so dodgy you cant use it.

5. Delays in receiving product? I got mine within 3 hours and im in Australia ! You honestly expect them to deliver a ground breaking product to you in a nano second? Your living in fairy land. Have you any idea what this software did to the NX70V/NZ90 when it first came out? People were falling over themselves trying to get a copy.

6. Your telling us that its not good for us to advise developers of potential problems? Are you stupid. Show me a piece of software that is full proof and ill show you where the pot of gold is at the end of the rainbow. Every piece of software could use a good work over. Without us this software would not have developed to a stage where it is today. Im quite happy as im sure many of us are to contribute a great deal of time to the developer to help him/her deliver a product that many of us would find truly greatful. Yes, even give em some money for it. You go and try and get a programmer to develop a piece of software and see what they will charge you.

7. PELACA has developed a good product from what i read. However in saying that, the product he delivers is not a 'legal' copy. That is, it is a hacked piece of software. Is it not? If PELACA wanted to do it then good for him but im sorry i dont support the view that people should hack other peoples work. Love them or hate them SONY are the rightful owners of the software and they have every right to pursue that matter further. Please do not get me wrong. PELACA is one of those guys that tries to help everyone out and indeed has provided me with some advise, however i still cannot condone (nor should any web site) what he has done.

8. Have you had any problems with Eruware? Any emails that you have sent to Amir that have not been answered?

Cheez.....i could go on and on but i think ill stop there. Sure the Eruware driver is not perfect but what software is? It allows me to use the CF slot in my NX70 for normal CF Cards. This is the claim of Eruware. Pure and simple.

[Slugman]

I just wanted to say how pleased I was with Eruware too... I bought my NX70v in the hope that a driver would be developed for the CF slot, so I could swap cards between it and my digi cam, and they were the only developer who delivered.

I don't remember any false promises from them, the website cleary describes things that do and don't work, and I've not noticed any particular instablilty in the recent releases.

They came out with these drivers long before Sony came up with any, and I've never regretted spending my $27...

[tprime76]

Wow, this is almost becoming a holy war. Just out of curiosity, has anyone who is "dissatisfied" with the Eruware driver emailed them to ask them about the problems you are having? I know it has been a while since they have published anything, and more than likely, they know that too. Creating their original driver took a long time (not sure EXACTLY how many months) and most likely the hacked driver changed their business model. In order to compete, they have to innovate. Innovation takes time.

I agree that ERUWARE should be questioned, but they should not be bashed. They fulfilled their end of the bargain. For $27 we got the use of the CF slot on our CLIEs.


Might be time that this thread was locked before it turns into an all out flame war.

Topics to never discuss: politics, religion, ERUWARE driver....

[aussie_nx70v]

lol...i tend to agree here...

i dont want a flame war and i reckon that would be the feelings held by most people here.

when people post things as guests you start to wonder if they have an alterior motive. sure conspiracy theories you might think but the issue of a CF driver has been a hotly debated one since the nx/nz were released.

you only have to be around here to see what has happened and what rumours have floated around......

[CliePet]

This issue has been beaten to death. The topic is generally flame-bait, but I did want to clarify one point:

> PELACA has developed a good product from what i read. However in saying that, the product he delivers is not a 'legal' copy. That is, it is a hacked piece of software. ... i still cannot condone (nor should any web site) what he has done.
[but also other comments on this thread]

"Hacked software" is not always bad/illegal.

I prefer to use the term "hacking" to refer to the general techniques and "cracking" for the bad-kind of hacking.
Cracking is usually to steal something, like removing copy protection from a program.

For example, one common *hacking* technique is reverse engineering. This is generally prohibited by the DMCA, but there are loop-holes. For example the EruWare driver would not exist without it.

Similarly, there are "fair use"s for copyrighted materials [regardless of whether they are free or not]. This is a grey area of piracy.

The act of posting ANY of Sony's copyrighted material is not permitted by the EULA. But calling it 'illegal' is opinion, at least until a court case ;->

----
Bottom line:

If something is blatantly illegal (like cracks/warez), then please report it to the moderator to have it removed.

If you wish to have a debate on which parts of copyright law you believe have been violated, that may be an interesting discussion (but mostly academic unless you are the copyright holder)

Posting Sony .prc files is common practice on many BBSs (modified or not).
I'm not saying if it is right or wrong.
However, please don't be *selectively* indignant about a common practice.

[Slugman]

Oops yeah, sorry for rising to it. I just wanted to express my support to the developers (Eruware and Pelaca included!!) who make cool stuff possible on my Clie. And you too CliePet for your Aibo work.

Oh and Cliesource, and eveyone here, and the whole world for being green and blue and umm... stuff..

Maybe we could turn this thread around into a happy-thread?! Yay!

[tprime76]

Agreed, without people like cliepet, n2ifp and pelaca (I am sure that I missed a lot of contributors, but you get the point) our horribly expensive hobby would become even more expensive. Without ERUWARE, Sony probably would not have been forced to release the 73/80 series, so we would not have the "hacked" driver. What we are seeing here is the infinite collaborative effect of the Internet. So, thanks to everyone who has helped me out, directly or indirectly. As a group we have succeeded where Sony has failed. We have listened and responded to our own suggestions and requests. This whole CF issue issue is what this forum is supposed to be about.

As far as the legality of the hacked driver, to the best of my knowledge, Sony has not requested a cease-and-desist from ClieSource like they did with Decuma. Another user emailed them and asked what they thought and they got a canned response that, to paraphrase, they don't care what you do with it, just don't expect us to help you.

<Glory, Glory, Hallelujah music>
Basically, keep up the discussions, the debates and the creativity. Stay away from the personal attacks on individuals and companies because, in the end, we are all working toward the same goal. Sony might abandon a model after 4 months, but in this group they live for years.
</Glory, Glory, Hallelujah music>

[elipten]

I bought my NX70V hoping and having faith a driver would arrive. It did and I bought it immediately. It works, I've never had a major problem but I don't push the envelope like many power users.

How often do you expect an upgrade? Major desktop software upgrades are not every few months and they also are buggy. Some of the special software I use in my line of work is junk but there are no toher choices. The palm platform is great and I hope Eruware can make a go of it. I think they will suffer from the hacked driver and so will all users in teh long run

[tovarish]

the simple question one should ask what did you expect when you parted with 27$. If those expectations were satisfied you should have no reasons to complain.
My two bits abt the hacked driver is that you cant call it illegal simply cos Sony doesnt call it illegal similar to you cant call a person a thief if he steals from my house if I dont call him one.

cheers
tovarish

[aussie_nx70v]

Originally posted by CliePet


"Hacked software" is not always bad/illegal.

I prefer to use the term "hacking" to refer to the general techniques and "cracking" for the bad-kind of hacking.
Cracking is usually to steal something, like removing copy protection from a program.

For example, one common *hacking* technique is reverse engineering. This is generally prohibited by the DMCA, but there are loop-holes. For example the EruWare driver would not exist without it.

----


Posting Sony .prc files is common practice on many BBSs (modified or not).
I'm not saying if it is right or wrong.


Theives dont steal......they just borrow things (for life). What ever way you put a spin on things, the simple fact remains.

Cracking, hacking, modifying, tampering etc...without the express permission of the owner is stealing. You have taken something which does not belong to you.

Posting Sony .prc files or any other files on BBBs or warez sites without the express permission of the owner is again stealing which is WRONG. Dont you think so? Or dont you want to upset the people who provide you with illegal copies of software ;)

[n2ifp]

Almost everything done in the CF Forum violates either Sony's EULA or Software Agreements.

Whether it's legal or not, I can't say. The main reason is that I am not a lawyer.

[CliePet]

[keep feeding...]

> Cracking, hacking, modifying, tampering etc...without the express permission of the owner is stealing.

In the case of the CLIE these activities are not permitted by the EULA. I would not call such activities "stealing" but violations of a shrink-wrap licence. You are welcome to your opinion.

IMHO: If I have purchased something, I feel I have the right to use it the way I want to. That's a simplistic view since you never buy the actual software (just a licence to use it)

---
Posting other people's copyright material is wrong if the copyright owner objects to it.

There is a lot of copyrighted material floating around on the Internet where explicit permission was not given. As you probably know, the model is sort of the reverse (free and easy until the copyright holder wants it stopped)

For example this posting/email is (c) by me. By downloading it to your computer to read it - you have made a copy of my copyrighted work. I have not given explicit permission one way or the other. Heck, I haven't even bothered to copy protect my thoughts.

Now if I started calling people "thieves" for reading this email - that would be quite unfair [and unrealistic - at least without a finding of guillty in a legal court]

'nuff said?

[aussie_nx70v]

Originally posted by CliePet
[keep feeding...]

For example this posting/email is (c) by me. By downloading it to your computer to read it - you have made a copy of my copyrighted work. I have not given explicit permission one way or the other.

Without a finding of guillty in a legal court, it would be unfair to call anyone a "thief" for reading this email.

'nuff said?

i think you will find that the discussion forum and the contents inside it are 'owned' by cliesource. whilst the views expressed here may not be the views held by cliesource they are the intellectual property of cliesource.

you gave up the right to 'ownership' when you signed up with the site and any subsequent postings within the site.

;)

[CliePet]

> ...i think you will find that the discussion forum and the contents inside it are 'owned' by cliesource.

Exactly my point. I never gave *explicit* permission, just somewhat implicitly.
Similarly if I linked to a document (by me or Sony) cliesource doesn't immediately own it either.

Copyright is a complicated legal issue -- which is why say everything is theft is an over-reach IMHO.

[my final comment on this thread - getting way off topic]

[gnlew]

I did not see anyone mention it but I just requested the newest version 1.2.1 and just received the email for it.

[Unregistered]

Originally posted by mcullum
Once and for all, it's not about the "lousy $27.00". It's about the high expectations set by the developer vs. the actual delivered product. (i.e., delays in receiving order, delays in receiving codes, constant crashes, buggy product, lack of response to tech issues, etc.)
1. Delays ... delays are something that just happens...and as you might recall Eruware reminded us countless times to not take the release dates too seriously
2. I mail ordered from them and everything worked great... maybe there were delays, but nothing above a week I think
3. Crashes... ??? The only crashes I encountered were when using Sony software which would not have worked at all without the hacks introduced Eruware
4. Bugs... I don't think there were more then in 90% of all software...
5. Techsupport... I sent 5 requests to techsupport and always got a response whithin 24h, and a meaningfull one


I mean, come on, all the "fixes" were found and reported by paying customers. Don't you remember the 100's of posts reporting all of the fixes, workarounds, driver rollbacks and re-releases. Compare for yourselves the support ERUWARE has provided and the amazing support Pelaca has provided. (For FREE) I have no affiliations with either, just unbiased observations. It's truly amazing to see some of you stand up and cheer for ERUWARE despite their inability to properly service their client base or their product. It's obvious, at least to me, that some of you would fall on your own swords just to preserve the good name of ERUWARE. Yet, they don't appear willing to do the same. Just a couple of questions:

With all due respect to pelace, he provided a hack... which basically took a bit of disasssembling, while eruware produced an entire software product for a relatively small market... Yes I'm going to support Eruware because they took a high risk to provide this driver... paying programmers... getting sued by Sony, you name it



1. Should we be happy when we invest in a product that doesn't deliver as promised, just because that product ventures out in unchartered territory?

For me it delivered what it promised...



2. Should we not ask questions just because they are uncomfortable to some?

Go ahead...ask


I don't think that voicing our dissatisfaction with a product should be discouraged. Isn't that the purpose of these forums? Instead of "becoming so tired of these comments", convince my why I should pledge my allegiance to ERUWARE.

No it shouldn't... just unfounded complains should be discouraged...
About joining Eurware:
1.At the time they released the driver we couldn't possible hope for a driver version from Sony
2.I still believe that Sony had the CF driver ready when nx60/70 were released and removed it afterwards... without any intention of adding it back in... but Eruware forced them to put it back in to destroy Eruware. That's my oppinion and is not based on any facts at all
3.I don't know about you guys, but I had a few email conversations with Nolan and they really seemed to put their heart into this product
4. Also... it's just not good if Sony has control over the software market as well... they would use their position to fight smaller companies
5. It's probably illegal to copy the Sony driver to nx60/70 devices and it's probably also illegal to hack it.

[cliener]

Hello all, I haven't posted for quite some time on this subject. I would just like to say that while I consider hacking illegal and I wouldn't use it that we all have to make our own judgements on what we consider right or wrong.
I have followed the Eruware cf driver from the beginning and have seen them held on the shoulders of some/ stomped on by others and "you can't please everyone" still stands. No one at Eruware expects anyone to hold them up as gods so stop complaining about that. They have been through a lot to try to bring a legal cf driver to the public. They didn't make a ton of money on it and they aren't retired on some island somewhere laughing at anyone. They do however have all the problems that a company (new company) have in an economy that is trying still to make a comeback since 9/11. They may be failing in staying around. Regardless, of what is going on with them. They did what they set out to do. They made a driver where there wasn't any. They didn't lie to anyone about the price and what it was written for. Gee, more memory for cheaper. The driver did that. All the frosting that came with that cake was what I think they called free updates for the life of the product. Guess what guys??? The life of the product was determined with the new "free hacked Sony (but not from Sony) driver". Go figure. So scream all you want. In my eyes they did what they set out to do and then some. If you want more out of it then write something yourselves. I would still like to see that pistol to the heads of those that bought it. SO that is my two cents. Have a nice day all.

[costa rhu]

i think there is a little lack of consistency here (or i could just be reading things wrong).

isn't it 'illegal' to distribute decuma? just pm some members, and they will send it to you. aren't some of these same members discounting the 'legality' and morality of hacked drivers?


by the way - before all the cf drivers came about - pelaca 'hacked' the cf modem drivers. because of that, i ended up buying a nz90 instead of an ipaq - because i then had needed landline modem access. no matter what anyone says about the cf memory driver issues - i am eternally gratefull for cf modem drivers from pelaca!!